Chapter 91

Luffy attempts to use Arlong's teeth against him, but does not have the strength to use them like the fish-man can. Arlong then starts overwhelming Luffy with his teeth and nose, but Luffy does not back down and swears to destroy his nose.

Darts

Arlong gets angry at Luffy for using his crewmate as a shield, but Luffy retorts that the fish-man did the same to his enemies. Johnny and Yosaku state that Luffy said he had an idea for beating Arlong, and they and Sanji wonder what it is. Arlong attacks Luffy by snapping the teeth in his hands, but Luffy avoids his lunges and kicks him in the jaw, sending another set of his teeth flying out. As Arlong grows another set, he reminds Luffy that it's useless to break his teeth, but Luffy instead places the fish-man's teeth into his own mouth, and Johnny and Yosaku are appalled that this is his idea. An insulted Arlong manages to give Luffy a small bite in the shoulder, although it leads to him melodramatically rolling on the ground in pain. Johnny and Yosaku yell at Luffy to stop playing around, but Luffy denies their accusation. He then blocks another of Arlong's strikes with a large piece of rock, but Arlong's strength sends Luffy tumbling backwards. Arlong then sinks a set of teeth into Luffy's side, but he quickly responds by biting Arlong's shoulder with the fish-man's own teeth.

The two combatants separate from each other, with the teeth Luffy used being left in Arlong's shoulder, and Luffy laughs how he hurt Arlong with his own teeth. However, Arlong, pulling the teeth from his shoulder, says that Luffy's jaws are too weak to do any real damage, and he tries to demonstrate the real power of a shark's jaw as he bites into Luffy's right arm at the elbow. Luffy manages to counter by throwing Arlong into the ground, allowing him to loosen the stunned fish-man's jaws and free his arm. The two momentarily lie motionless on the ground. Genzo states that Luffy could have lost his arm had he been trapped for even a second longer. Arlong gets up first, noting that Luffy's throw was enough to draw blood. Meanwhile, Luffy pulls the teeth out of his side, but when he gets up, notices that Arlong has disappeared. Usopp yells to Luffy that Arlong went into the water, though Luffy initially confuses his exposed fin for an actual shark. Below the surface, Arlong says that no one can compare to his speed underwater as he flies out of the water like a torpedo, with Luffy just barely dodging a fatal blow, but still being hit hard enough to send him spinning away. Arlong crashes through the tower wall, while Luffy tumbles to the ground. Arlong is surprised Luffy could dodge him, but notes that it will only delay the inevitable. He then uses the same attack again, and Luffy dodges him, causing his nose to embed itself in the ground, with no ill effect to the fish-man. Sanji is shocked at how strong his nose is, and Arlong uses the attack twice more, successfully grazing Luffy both times before going back underwater. As Luffy struggles to his feet his allies yell for him to get away before Arlong can attack again, but Luffy refuses and stands in front of the pool, declaring that he will catch Arlong and break his nose.

Mission 72

Billy and his squad are surprised to see that the Berlint City Police found them. The children, noticing the police cars outside, excitedly get up from their seats, but Billy stops them by shooting his pistol at the ceiling, threatening that if anyone tries to leave, he will shoot them. The woman begins to wonder how they got found since none of the children could have known where they were going. At that moment, the hijackers turn to the students, and Anya gets scared as she found out the address.

Over a megaphone, the Berlint City Police tell the Red Circus members to surrender. Billy asks Vadim if they can break through, but he replies that it will be impossible with their flat tires. The woman then warns Billy that the SSS is coming from the other side, so with no other choice, he grabs black sheets from his bag and orders the students to cover the windows. The police notice this and worry, as they will not know what will happen to the hostages. Then, Billy walks out with Damian and tells them that if they plan on doing anything, he will blow up everyone inside the bus. Billy states his two demands: to free all his comrades in prison and to give all of them safe passage to the country of Nortica. He adds that he will release five students for each comrade the police free.

The Berlint Police Commander worries about their situation, and at that moment, the SSS arrive and ask him to withdraw his forces, as they plan to storm the bus. The commander opposes this as there are children inside the bus, but the SSS captain states that their duty is to protect the country and that a few dead children would not be as bad as starting capital terrorism. Angered, the police commander says they will not decide anything until the ministry gives orders. The captain agrees and looks to the bus, saying that several of the comrades Billy wants to be released are already dead.

Back in the bus, Vadim scolds Billy for not making a bigger threat to the kids, but Billy says that as soon as they give the police a deadline, the SSS will start storming the bus, so what they can do now is stall for time, which would cause parents to start putting pressure on the government. Damian walks back to his seat and recalls how embarrassing it was to have everyone see him like that, worrying that it may cause problems for his father. Bill cheers him up, saying that while they are still kids, he did a great job keeping it together and that their only hope is to wait for their parents to do something. Emile and Ewen agree with Bill and also try to cheer Damian, but he calls Bill a 40-year-old grade-schooler, offending him.

At WISE HQ, Sylvia talks with the WISE Agent over the phone about the other missing bus. The WISE Agent tells her it was spotted heading through a route school buses do not go, so Sylvia decides to leak that information to the police. Meanwhile, at the State Security Service HQ, an SSS agent receives Sylvia's leak and tells two other agents about the possible location of the missing bus, Demforest District. Yuri, who was tied to a pillar by his captain to prevent him from getting involved in the case, overhears them and begs to be released to investigate since he has informants in the district that can get him the location. Yuri gets released and quickly gets to work searching for clues. He asks for some information about a school bus passing through suspicious areas. Yuri knows it would be a problem to ditch a bus and then transport forty kids in cars, so he decides to scour the area where the bus is probably hidden.

Outside the bus, an SSS agent informs his captain about the new lead on the other missing bus, while Division 1 has also entered the situation to argue against taking any drastic measures. This irritates the captain, as he says they are in for protracted warfare. Inside, Billy notices some of the students squirming, so he orders anyone who needs to go raise their hand as they will go outside to do their business at the shrubs, one at a time. Emile is the first to raise his hand, saying that he needs to go. Billy reminds him not to run away, which Emile will not plan on as Damian has the neck bomb. The two go outside, and an SSS agent asks if they should have their snipers fire, which the captain refuses as it is better to get all the culprits at once. After Emile does his business, he admits being embarrassed at having to do it outside like this, and Billy says he has led a charmed life and to thank his parents for that.

Becky's father and Martha arrive at the scene, where some guards stop Mr. Blackbell from seeing his daughter. At that moment, Henderson and another teacher also arrive. Henry is surprised to see Martha, and both of them share their concern for the well-being of the students inside the bus. Inside, many kids start feeling dizzy as they are tired, thirsty, hungry, and scared, and their thoughts overwhelm Anya. Billy gets off the bus and asks the agents for the council’s answer, where they reply that they are still deciding but in the meantime, would like to bring food and water to the students. Billy agrees as long as a teacher is the one who delivers the food, so Henry offers himself to go and give the supplies to the children.

As Henry gets escorted to the bus, the kids are relieved to see their housemaster. He asks if they are all right and tells them they should keep the dignity of Eden Students, assuring them that they will be rescued. The dorm tutor, still injured from the electric shock, apologizes to Henry for not being able to help, but the housemaster worriedly tells the hijackers he needs to go to a hospital, but Billy denies it. Henry says that they can have him in exchange for releasing the dorm tutor, and Billy agrees. He ties up Henry and releases the tutor, and Martha is confused by Henry's decision. As Henry sits down, he notices both Anya and Damian have a neck bomb, so he angrily stares at Billy, deeming him a despicable coward. Then the housemaster asks the kids if all of them have food and water supplies, and Anya says she is so hungry she could eat an entire horse. Henry gets shocked by Anya’s nerves of steel, remembering the words Anya told back in the interview.

As they start passing around the Blackbell company's emergency food, Damian, Emile, and Ewen talk about its poor flavor, Bill and Becky tell them not to complain, while Anya says she has tasted better and worse meals. Henry is shocked by how composed the children are in this situation, then notices Billy staring at them with a tender look. Henry asks him if he has children, to which he replies a daughter. Henry tries to appeal to Billy's parental side to make him free the students, but Billy reveals that his daughter was murdered by the state, as she was also a member of the group. He explains how the Red Circus was originally a student movement asking for peace and equality, but the state went violent against them. He tells Henry that he will not take any criticism from a member of the establishment, and will make sure the state will reap what they have sown.

At Demforest District, Yuri finds bus tire tracks, which lead him to a warehouse hiding the missing bus.

Thoth

Legends tell of a tome of magic, wherein all the secrets of the world can be found, where the spells to change the fabric of reality are written, and where the knowledge to master death is inscribed. The legends understate reality. So powerful is this book that the mere flipping of pages sets Gods on edge.

This lexicon of legerdemain was no product of happenstance. Every incantation, every inflection was carefully crafted by a God beyond comprehension, of wisdom so transcendent, he willed himself into being. He is Thoth, the Scribe of Secrets.

Three great battles there have been, and at each, Thoth was present, aiding the forces of order to triumph over chaos. When Ra faced the world serpent Apep for the final time, Thoth's spells shielded Ra against the reptile. When Osiris was dismembered by his brother Set, Thoth taught Eset the incantations to reassemble him. And when Horus, the child of Eset and Osiris, battled Set once again for control of the Kingdom, Thoth's rituals cleansed the young man of Set's vilest poisons.

All of the secrets, the power, the wisdom of the universe, Thoth has placed into this book. He is the guardian of this knowledge, invoking it only to save the world, to keep it from descending into disorder.

But now, the world is falling into chaos. God battles God. The heavens quake, the earth shudders, the seas boil, and mortals cry out. If ever there was a time for Thoth to break the binding of his book, it is now. This world is unprepared for the secrets he will reveal.

Act 2

"Christmas Who?"

Act 2 begins as SpongeBob is sending the last of the letters to Santa, and finds out Squidward still has not written his letter yet. SpongeBob and a few citizens try to get him to write a letter and be in the Christmas spirit, but it fails. In the days leading up to Christmas, the people of Bikini Bottom heartily celebrate, and on Christmas Eve, they stand in front of the large decorated coral tree and sing, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa. Squidward, refusing to believe in Santa Claus, takes no part in any of the mirths.

The people continue to sing until morning, when they realize that Santa has not come. Everyone leaves in disappointment, and they call SpongeBob out on his lying. Patrick tries to tell the people that Santa had stopped for a snack and so SpongeBob and Patrick are waiting for Santa, until they realize that he really does not exist, SpongeBob becomes heartbroken. In realty, Santa didn't come because they were supposed to be asleep. Squidward wakes and comes out, at last, laughing at SpongeBob's humiliation, and even takes a photo to commemorate the occasion.

As SpongeBob sadly trudges away, he hands Squidward a present. Squidward, still skeptical, opens it to find a hand-carved driftwood clarinet. Squidward sees how SpongeBob has only been trying to spread joy, he feels very remorseful for what he did, and decides to make up for his rudeness. He dresses up as Santa and surprises SpongeBob, who thanks him for bringing Christmas to Bikini Bottom.

Squidward prepares to go back inside his house but is approached by a little girl, asking him for a present. Out of desperation, Squidward gives the child a large wrench, which pleases her greatly. A large crowd arrives asking for presents, and he ends up giving away everything he owns. Squidward realizes the lengths he has gone to in preserving SpongeBob's dream, and after shooing away an excited SpongeBob, he discovers a note on his doorstep, which turns out to be a message from Santa thanking him for his help. He looks up in time to see the real Santa Claus soaring overhead in his sleigh, as he is shocked that he was wrong about his existence. At a loss at seeing Santa, he dismisses himself as being insane and plays his new clarinet before going back inside.

Chapter 1

Atop the snow strewn peak of Mount Fuji, an unnatural formation of black clouds coalesced. They churned and roiled like a feeding beast, blotting the sun from the sky. Just beneath, at the smoking rim of the volcano, Xing Tian, headless, as always, victoriously raised shield and axe overhead and bellowed with fevered glee, green fiery face lighting the false night. Gone was his usual code of honor. Gone was his instinct to protect and serve. Transformed, he was, by malice, under the seething mass of darkness. At his command, waves of foul creatures descended to the town at the base of the mountain, sending the people screaming for their lives and setting homes ablaze.

Black hair blowing in a cherry blossom breeze, Amaterasu rushed towards the conflict, whirling among the embers and panicked mortals. A flash of steel from her blade, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, smote Xing Tian's forces mid-stride. Sword clinked against scabbard. Amaterasu glared up the mountain. Xing Tian, laughing, sent more forces into the burning village. Amaterasu narrowed her eyes. This would end only when Xing Tian was stopped.

Amaterasu went up the mountain.

Each step she took was like pushing against the gale that turned the Earth. But on she climbed, goaded ever onward by the echo of Xing Tian's hideous laughter.

Denied the light of the Sun, the source of her power, Amaterasu grew feebler with each passing moment. Xing Tian's forces, bolstered by the bruise-colored cloud above, seemed fiercer, more capable, the further she climbed. But she cut them down all the same. Relentlessly she strode. Relentlessly she struck. And endlessly, her enemies fell before her.

And then, she reached the peak. At last she arrived at the source of the laughter.

Xing Tian's headless shoulders shook with dark mirth. Amaterasu's shoulders heaved with exhaustion. She pointed her blade at the dishonored soldier. It dripped with grime from a thousand slain foes.

“Cease this slaughter,” she commanded with all her might. “And you shall be spared.”

Xing Tian's giant axe rang against growling shield, the sound cracking across the heavens like drums of war. “To face me is death!” declared the burning maw upon his chest. “To flee… is death!”

In unison they sped toward each other. Two Gods upon the shadowed peak.

Xing Tian's mighty axe split the air and cracked the earth where once Amaterasu stood. Though her strength was drained with the absence of the Sun, her speed was not so diminished and she danced aside the crushing blow. From behind Xing Tian, she slashed, a crescent shaped strike the would have split a mountain, but Xing Tian's shield bore the blow, sparing only a few sparks from the impact. Then, without warning, Xing Tian struck her with his shield. Her sword went spinning into the darkness. Her body fell hard to snow covered ground.

"So this is defeat?" she tasted the bitter words, closing her eyes as Xing Tian raised his axe.

"Not yet," growled her brother's voice as axe met steel. Above her stood Susano, rugged and unclean, but hale as his wide sword deflected the axe. Roaring ferociously, he pushed against his blade, heaving the hulking Xing Tian to the ground.

"This," said Susano, "is victory."

Above them, the churning cloud, as if possessed by grim intention,twisted and turned, hurtling Westward with the sinking sun.

Xing Tian's spectral eyes blinked and cleared. He took in the surroundings as though waking from a dream. "What - what have I done?"

"Nothing of your own will, it seems." Susano answered, staring into the sunset as the black cloud flew on.

Diary of Koby-Meppo

Vol.8 : "The Ship of Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Garp"

コビメッポ奮闘日記vol.8「海軍本部中将ガープの船」

Oda Eiichiro

There's just something exciting about those German toy blocks, Playmobil!! Their pirate series is outstanding

ドイツのブロック、プレイモービルは雰囲気がたまらない!!素敵だ海賊シリーズ

Chapter 92